Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah has joined Reading on a loan deal until the end of the season, the Championship club have confirmed.

Chalobah, 20, is still to make his debut for Chelsea since coming up through the ranks, spending the 2012-13 campaign on loan at Watford, before splitting last season between spells at Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough.

The England Under-21 international spent the first half of this term at Burnley in order to gain some valuable Premier League experience, but made just four appearances for a total of 69 minutes before returning to Stamford Bridge this month.

His move to Reading was brokered, in part, due to Reading manager Steve Clarke's connections to the Blues, having been a player, coach and assistant manager at the club.

"He burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old when he was part of the Watford team that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League in 2012-13.

"Since that season, he has gained experience at other clubs and now feels that Reading is the right club to further his development as a player and we are delighted that he has chosen us ahead of anyone else.

"He will certainly enhance our already strong midfield department with his qualities. We welcome Nathaniel to the club and look forward to him playing his part in a more successful second half to the season."

Chalobah was thought to be close to joining French club Bordeaux earlier this month, but the move collapsed due to FIFA regulations which prohibit players from turning out for more than two top-flight teams in the same season.

Considered one of England's brightest prospects not long ago, his career might have stalled somewhat in recent months, but the versatile prospect now has the chance to prove his potential again with some regular minutes in the second-tier.

Also comfortable at centre-back, he faces a difficult task breaking into Chelsea's star-studded squad in the future, but shouldn't have a problem finding potential suitors in the event of a departure if he impresses during his time at the Madjeski.

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.